Menu

Stay in Touch
Sign up for ENews
Subscribe Now

Unlimited access >

Menu

Saddle check

Western
#1

Sorry to be making so many thread lately!

I picked this saddle up from Horse Saddle Shop today, but am a little unsure about the fit (and I won’t hear back from them until Monday). My biggest concern is that I can’t really seem to get my hand into the front when mounted. It sits pretty snug, but I am not sure if that is normal or not. I feel like my other saddle I can get my hand in the front, but I ran out of time to check today. It fits me really well, and my mare seemed willing and eager to work today in it.

Here are the pictures: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNLFCow1Xh1j37ztJWLVHsrMeWDOOYZrZMnRibX

#2

Got an error that says I do not have access to this page.

#3

Hmm, see if this one works https://goo.gl/photos/6M2CV4P9En5nvAQj9

#4

That does look pretty low, hard to judge the clearance as the pad is pulled up and I can’t quiet tell. But if have no clearance when mounted, I would say it’s a bad fit. It also looks cantle high in the side picture which makes me think it’s not fitting right in the front (too wide). But I am not a saddle fitter so others may have a different idea.

#5

[QUOTE=cayuse;8373676]
That does look pretty low, hard to judge the clearance as the pad is pulled up and I can’t quiet tell. But if have no clearance when mounted, I would say it’s a bad fit. It also looks cantle high in the side picture which makes me think it’s not fitting right in the front (too wide). But I am not a saddle fitter so others may have a different idea.[/QUOTE]

You are not the only one to say that it looks low, which surprises me. It actually had 4 fingers of clearance.

#6

I have to agree - looks a bit too wide (at least in pics). Pretty saddle tho!

#7

I’d like to see it cinched down with the purple pad, or nothing. There seems to be room under the gullet when it’s resting, but it’s just a hair wider angle than the horse.

I have to remember where I saw it, but one of the custom saddle makers has this form you can make that is a model of your horses back. I just have the wither section in a thick piece of wire and place that in the gullet, and if I have to shove it to get it in there or it falls out, nope.

#8

I will get some more pictures with the purple pad. Trying to keep it as clean as possible due to its light color and being brand new. Already got the fenders a little dirty and I am panicking a bit about how to get them clean again without darkening the leather. :eek:

I have seen a couple of different wire frame fitting designs. I wish I had thought to do that before I went to the tack shop. Front to back seems to be the easy part. It’s the shoulders that are so tricky. I almost feel like I must be doing something wrong to have tried so many (thankfully I have a couple friends with a lot of western saddles laying around) and still not find something that fits us both. Since I already have one circle y that fits her, I thought buying a new one would be easy!

I am also trying to coordinate getting together with a friend that has a port Lewis pad.

#9

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8374150]
. . . Already got the fenders a little dirty and I am panicking a bit about how to get them clean again without darkening the leather. :eek:

. . .[/QUOTE]

Next time tube socks or the legs off some cut offs, the H/J use tube socks over stirrup irons, I think pant legs would fit to cover the fenders and protect them from outside dirt.

#10

[QUOTE=ReSomething;8374194]
Next time tube socks or the legs off some cut offs, the H/J use tube socks over stirrup irons, I think pant legs would fit to cover the fenders and protect them from outside dirt.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately it didn’t even cross my mind until I was done riding and had an oh shoot moment. :frowning:

#11

Maybe a smidge wide on the bar angle but not bad. Biggest thing will be on how it FEELS when you run your hand along the tree. Are there any pressure points (or lack of pressure) anywhere along the tree? That’s your biggest indicator.

#12

[QUOTE=beau159;8374758]
Maybe a smidge wide on the bar angle but not bad. Biggest thing will be on how it FEELS when you run your hand along the tree. Are there any pressure points (or lack of pressure) anywhere along the tree? That’s your biggest indicator.[/QUOTE]

It is a fairly even/steady pressure along the front. No places that I feel have an overly large amount of pressure and nothing feels like it’s pinching. It’s just not easy for me to get my hand in there to run it down the front.

#13

Here are some pictures of the saddle without the pad, and the results of the Port Lewis pad: https://goo.gl/photos/HU9uwsKPpptPx7LZA. The Port Lewis pad does show some pressure along the front and the bars. :no:

Pictures of the saddle moved back some: https://goo.gl/photos/geEUfLoDK2EFQynL8. I always have a heck of a time figuring out the exact right spot for western saddles.

Sadly, I think this one may be going back after all. I loved how balanced I felt and looked in it, and she moved really well in it again during my ride with the Port Lewis pad. :frowning:

#14

Here is a page to check out, which I think directly speaks to what is going on here. http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/position-why-it-so-important/

It looks like your saddle is too far forward, and that is part of the reason you are getting so much pressure over your horse’s shoulders. Is it bridging? When you push it back off her shoulders is it then extending too far back?

#15

Given the seat size and the double square skirts, I think the saddle is too long for your horses back. If it is too far forward in the pictures, if you push it back more the skirts will be too far back, it’s already all the way to the flank.

#16

I do still think you have it too far forward.

If you have a hard time figuring out where to put a western saddle… have a helper lead your horse around at the walk. You walk next to your horses side and put your hand on their shoulder blade. Feel how that bone moves forward and backward with each step the horse takes. Your saddle tree should NOT be placed in a spot where it can interfere with that shoulder movement.

The vast majority of people place western saddles too far forward.

I have a feeling the saddle is still just a bit too wide on the bar angle. It might be better if you move it back some, but I guess I would say you probably can still “do better” with a saddle fit.

#17

[QUOTE=no.stirrups;8377975]
Here is a page to check out, which I think directly speaks to what is going on here. http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/position-why-it-so-important/[QUOTE]

Interesting article and pictures - thank you for sharing.

#18

Interesting article and pictures - thank you for sharing!

#19

I guess I have been given some conflicting information. I was told that since she has such a forward girth groove to line the billet straps/girth up with her girth groove, so that is what I have been doing.

I ended up taking the saddle back, no matter how I positioned it, it was still very snug up front. I now have a Big Horn reining saddle on trial. It has a much more open front to it, and I like the seat on it a bit better (and the color, not that matters in the long run). Will be trying it today. http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/big-horn-reining-saddle-863.html#.VjItQTZdG00

#20

The saddle tree STILL has to sit properly on the horse’s back.

If you have a more forward girth area on the horse, you are going to take your saddle rigging into consideration. Full saddle rigging has the cinch located farther forward on the tree. 7/8 and 3/4 are slightly back, and are the most common. Center Fire has the cinch located in the center of the tree.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/thesaddleshop/saddle-rigging-positions.jpg

Some saddles come with adjustable rigging where you can choose where you want your rigging. Like Martin saddles, for example.
http://www.martinsaddlery.com/SaddleConfigurator/Images/Rigging/Adjustable%20Rigging.jpg

Get your Digital Subscription here - only $21.95 / year

Subscribe here
See gift options

Sign up to our monthly newsletter!

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.

Copyright © 2023 The Chronicle of the Horse